Chapter 43 FIGHT

Chapter 43 FIGHT
ZARA'S POV:
Together, we stepped outside to welcome Nick into the house. As he dismounted his motorcycle, his gaze landed on my husband’s hand, which was securely placed around my waist.
“Come in,” I said to Nick, and I could feel that he felt a bit awkward. “By the way, how are you?” I asked him as we walked towards the house.
“I’m okay,” he replied curtly to my question.
“That's good then,” I said.
When we entered the house, we didn't have any privacy because Lucas kept on watching us. It felt like we were back in ancient times, where the grandmother guarded her granddaughter while talking to a suitor. Several times I signaled Lucas to leave us alone so we could talk properly but he chose to be stubborn. 
“When did he start to care for you, Zara?” Nick asked about Lucas and me, even though he knew that Lucas could hear him.
I shrugged. “Just recently but anyway, how did you meet him?” I was curious because they were not the best of friends though. 
“Accidentally. But since he invited me, I didn’t have the choice but to say yes or he would think I am rude,” he explained. 
“Yeah, that’s right. He even assumes that I am dating you,” I admitted. 
“He did?” 
I nodded. 
“Well, I just hope that he will realize what he is about to lose before it’s too late,” Nick mentioned. 
I just smiled at him. “I don’t know, Nick.”
“Just remember that you can always count on me if that jerk tries to hurt you,” Nick whispered. 
Lucas groaned right away. When I glanced at him, his facial expression told me that he was not happy with Nick’s presence. But why did he invite Nick in the first place?  
“Since you are already here, why don’t you join us for lunch?” I asked. 
Nick glanced at Lucas for a second before looking back at me. “Are you sure?” he asked.
I nodded. “Of course!”
Lucas leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Stay,” he said flatly. “You’re already here anyway.”
Nick gave a small smile. “Alright.”
“I’ll cook something quick,” I said before leaving them but the moment I stepped away from the living room and left the two of them behind, I was a little nervous about it. 
Why do I feel like I just left two lions in one cage?
I tried to focus on chopping the vegetables, but my ears were straining, catching every little sound from the living room. At first, there was silence so I just focused on my task of cooking a quick lunch. 
Thirty minutes later… 
I looked for them after setting the table for lunch but they were no longer in the living room. I frowned as I checked the game room, hoping that they were playing there but it was empty. 
Then I heard it.
The noise outside.
Raised voices. Heavy footsteps. Something crashing.
My heart dropped as I ran outside to check what’s happening! 
“Oh my God! What are you two doing?!” 
I shouted the moment I stepped out and saw them, standing too close, breathing hard, eyes locked like they were seconds away from tearing each other apart.
“Have you both lost your minds?!” I snapped. “You’re not teenagers! Nick, leave. Now. And you, Lucas…get inside!”
But neither of them moved.
That was it.
“ENOUGH!” I yelled, louder than I ever had before.
Silence fell instantly and both of them turned to me, their faces bruised and their expressions were annoyed as if I was the problem!
“If you can’t respect me, at least respect this house!” I continued, my voice shaking with anger. “Don’t stand there acting like animals on my property. I don’t want to see either of you bleeding in front of me again. Lucas, pack your things. You’re staying at your penthouse tonight!” 
“Zara, wait!” Lucas tried, his voice tight. “This is my house too,” he argued. 
I ignored him completely. 
I stormed inside, grabbed his phone and wallet. When I returned outside, Nick was already stepping away, a faint, knowing smile on his lips before he finally left and that only made my irritation worse. 
“I am not leaving!” Lucas suddenly declared as he followed me inside. 
I turned and gasped to see up close how his lips were bleeding! I was supposed to kick him out of the house. Instead, I went straight for the first aid kit.
“I’ll do it,” he said, reaching for the cotton.
I pulled it away.
“Sit still,” I ordered. “You’re covered in bruises. What were you thinking? Next time, try not to get yourself beaten up like a child!” I scolded him. 
Because why not? He was bigger than Nick. I assumed he was stronger, too! But what happened? Nick beat him like a pulp!
“Wait here. I’ll get some ice,” I said before standing up. 
But when I returned to the living room, I froze at the sight before me. He was lying on the sofa and he was fucking shirtless! 
How shameless! 
My eyes flickered just for a second over his chest before I forced my gaze back to his face. He was just so annoying! 
“Do you really need to take your shirt off?” I asked, setting the bowl of ice down a little too hard.
“I have bruises here too,” he answered.
I sighed and stepped closer. “Where?”
I pressed lightly against his side.
Lucas hissed in pain. My brows pulled together and for a split second, my anger was gone.  
“I know you’re still mad,” he said softly. “Just don’t mind me, I’ll just take a rest here.” 
I paused. “I’m not mad,” I admitted, placing the ice down. “Just… annoyed. Did you really have to hurt him, Lucas?”
He clenched his jaw. “He started it,” Lucas muttered.
“Oh really? Stop lying! I know Nick better than you,” I said but instead of talking back to me, he was suddenly gripping his chest. “What’s wrong?” 
His breathing became uneven.  “Zara…” His voice came out strained. “I think…something’s wrong…”
My heart slammed against my ribs. “What do you mean? What’s wrong?”
He looked at me, panic flashing in his eyes. “I… I can’t breathe.”